COMPOSER AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT BETWEEN _______________________________ (Producer) AND

__________________________ (Composer) RE: THE MUSIC UNDERSCORE FOR THE
MOTION PICTURE _____________________________ (Film)
1.
SERVICES: Composer shall compose, record, produce and deliver approximately
_____ minutes of Original Music Score for the Film (the"Score), subject to the creative
decisions of the Producer and Composer during the scoring process.
Composer shall also attend the Film's mix, as required by Producer. Composers services
shall be rendered on a non-exclusive basis, provided that the Producer and Composer
agree that the Composer's services for third parties will not materially interfere with the
Composer's services for Producer. It is the intent hereof that the Composer will begin
composing the Score as soon as the locked and final video version is delivered to him,
and that the completed Score for the Film will be delivered, in the format specified by
Producer, within ______ days of obtaining the locked and final video version.
2.
PACKAGE FEE:
$_________________. The Package Fee shall include all costs for
writing, recording and delivering the Score, including all costs for the electronic score.
However, the following costs are in addition to, and excluded from, the Package Fee:
a.
b.
c.
d.

e.
f.

Third-party live musicians specifically requested by Producer in writing and costs

related thereto, including, but not limited to new use, re-use and residuals, if any;
Mag stock and transfers;
Licensing and clearance of music not composed by Composer;
Actual rescoring and re-recording costs (i.e., re-recording required for creative
reasons outside the control of Composer and after delivery and acceptance of the
Score by the Producer);
Music editor and music editing costs; and
Vocalists and lyricists

3.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 50% due immediately upon execution of this contract; 50%
due upon Composers delivery, and Producers approval, of the finished Score on or about
______________. Time is of the essence to the delivery of the Score.
4.
SCREEN CREDIT: If the Composer's Score is used, the Composer shall receive screen
credit in the main titles of the Film, to read: Original Score by __________________.
5.
SOUNDTRACK ALBUM: In the event that any of the Composer's Score is included on
a Soundtrack Album from the Film, the Composer and Producer shall negotiate in good faith for
any artist and/or producer royalties to be paid to Composer from said Soundtrack Album.

If fifty percent (50%) or more of the Score is on a Soundtrack Album from the Film,
Composer shall receive credit on the front cover, to read: Music by ___________,
Produced by ______________.
6.
PAID ADVERTISING:
the so-called billing block.

Composer to receive credit in any advertising that includes

Composer understands that there will be no injunctive relief if there is any error in the
accorded credit, and that Producer has the final decision as to all other credit matters.
However, Producer shall employ best efforts to remedy such an error on a prospective
basis.
7.
OWNERSHIP OF SCORE: Composer hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Score
and all other results and proceeds of Composers services (collectively, "Work") hereunder have
been specially ordered or commissioned by Producer for use as part of the Picture, that the Score
shall constitute a work-made-for-hire'' as defined in the United States Copyright Act of 1976,
that Producer shall be the author of said work-made-for-hire and the owner of all rights in and to
the Work, in accordance with the terms and conditions herein contained, including, without
limitation, the copyrights therein and thereto, throughout the universe in perpetuity.
8.
RIGHTS OF PRODUCER: Producer to have the perpetual, irrevocable right to use the
Score in connection with any and all exploitation of the Film in all media, including advertising
and promotion of the Film.
9.

MUSIC PUBLISHING ROYALTIES:

a.

Composer shall be entitled to collect the writers share of public performance

royalties (as that term is commonly used in the music industry) directly from a
public performance society that makes a separate distribution of said royalties to
composers and publishers. In order to effectuate this, Producer shall prepare a
music cue sheet (with a copy to Composer) and Composers name shall be listed
on the music cue sheet for the program as composer.

b.

In addition, on a semi-annual basis, Producer, or its music publishing designee,

shall pay to Composer the following songwriter royalties:
i.
ii.

iii.
iv.

Ten cents ($0.10) per copy for each piano copy of the Score;
Twelve and one-half percent (12 1/2%) of the wholesale selling price for
each printed copy of the Score printed, published and sold in the United
States & Canada by Producer or its licensees;
Fifty percent (50%) of all net sums received from exploitation in the
United States & Canada by Producer or its licensees;
Fifty percent (50%) of all net sums received from exploitation outside the
United States & Canada by Producer or its licensees; and

v.

In the event that Producer receives a distribution of public performance

income that includes both the writers and publishers share, 50% of all net
sums received.

2.
PERFORMING RIGHTS SOCIETY:
member of _____________.
3.
NOTICES AND PAYMENTS:
directed to:

Composer hereby acknowledges that he is a

All Composers monies and correspondence to be

________________________
________________________
________________________
4.
WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS:
Composer hereby makes customary
representations and warranties as to the originality of the Score, that the Score violates no rights
of any third party, that there will be no liens or encumbrances on the Score, and that the
Producer will be free to use the Score in the Film and the exploitation thereof.
If the above is correct, please sign below. Once fully signed, this will constitute our agreement.
APPROVED AND ACCEPTED:
__________________________________
Composer

Dated: ____________________

__________________________________
Producer

Dated: ____________________